On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, a former member of the 1980s avant-garde band Mr. Bungle, was arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann, aged 61.
Herrmann had been unaccounted for since December 3, 2023, which initiated a detailed probe by law enforcement agencies.
Lengyel, noted for his contributions to Mr. Bungle as a saxophone, clarinet, and keyboard player, emerged as a key figure in the investigation following Herrmann’s disappearance.
In a recent announcement, the Capitola Police Department indicated the unearthing of human remains in a forested region of Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, California. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office is currently processing DNA confirmation to identify these remains.
Herrmann was declared missing on December 12, nine days after she was last seen alive. Law enforcement officers suspected foul play from the start of the investigation.
Lengyel, aged 54 and also known under the pseudonym “Mylo Stone,” was uncooperative with the police and was regarded as a person of interest in Herrmann’s disappearance.
His actions after Herrmann’s disappearance raised eyebrows. Lengyel reportedly traveled over 600 miles from his home in El Cerrito, California, to Portland, Oregon. During his absence, Herrmann’s vehicle was discovered in front of his El Cerrito residence, a city not far from Berkeley.
Authorities have yet to reveal a possible motive for the murder. Following his arrest, Lengyel was taken to the Santa Cruz County Jail, California, facing first-degree murder charges. There is no information on bail or any additional charges at this time.
Mr. Bungle was started in 1985 by high school students Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, and Trevor Dunn. Lengyel was a significant contributor to the band until he left in the mid-1990s. According to bassist Trevor Dunn, Lengyel’s exit was due to his lack of progression and misalignment with the band’s vision.
The arrest of Lengyel, given his previous stature in the music scene, has garnered significant attention. The investigation into Herrmann’s disappearance and subsequent death remains ongoing.
